wicca
 

Witchcraft Belief in witchcraft is universal, but there is no universal definition of “witchcraft.” It has both nega­tive and positive connotations. In a neutral sense, witchcraft is SORCERY, the magical manipulation of supernormal forces through the casting of SPELLS and the conjuring or invoking of spirits. Such spells may be for either good or bad purposes. MAGIC and sorcery have been used by humankind since prehistoric times in an effort to control the environment and enhance daily life.

In most societies, however, witchcraft has been considered the harmful branch of sorcery. Anthropologists define witchcraft as an innate condition—the use of malevolent power by psy­chic means without need for ritual or charm. This describes many of the accused witches of the Inquisition days, but contemporary Western Witches work magic through spells. Witchcraft also involves the use of supernormal pow­ers, such as invisibility, shape-shifting, FLYING, the ability to kill at a distance, clairvoyancy and astral projection. During the Middle Ages and Renaissance, witchcraft was defined as evil magic, heresy and Devil-worship. The associations with evil and the DEVIL linger in mod­ern Western culture. Contemporary Witches have rede­fined Witchcraft as a reconstructed Pagan religion that worships the GODDESS and HORNED GOD and has no con­nection with Christianity or the Devil.

In addition, Pagan Witchcraft stresses the use of magic only for benevolent purposes, never for harm. Witchcraft as a religion has developed since the 1950s, but represents a small portion of the types of witchcraft still practiced by others, both in the West and elsewhere in the world. Most witchcraft is magical spell casting. It is usually regarded with fear and uncertainty, though it provides a necessary social function by enabling people to seek redress of wrongs and grievances, and alleviation from stress and troubles.

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